Non-plugging sprinkler

ABSTRACT

A rotary sprinkler is described having a hub with a pair of arms extending radially from the hub and terminating in at least partly tangentially directed nozzles for inducing sprinkler rotation. In each arm between the hub and the nozzle is a debris trap comprising a vertical cylinder having a diagonal baffle between the inlet and the outlet. An aperture through the baffle near the top of the cylinder permits water to flow from the inlet to the outlet. The water inlet is near the top of the cylinder and the water outlet is near the bottom of the cylinder on the opposite side of the baffle. Centrifugal force as the sprinkler rotates forces debris having a density greater than water into a region formed between the diagonal baffle and the cylinder wall so that the debris is not carried into the nozzle to cause plugging. The diagonal baffle also defines a pocket or region radially inwardly in from the passage through the baffle wherein debris having lower density than water tends to accumulate, further protecting the nozzle from plugging.

United States Patent 51 Apr. 25, 1972 Wolflin [54] NON-PLUGGINGSPRINKLER George L. Wolflin, 7326 South Gretna Avenue, Whittier, Calif.90606 [22] Filed: Mar. 19, 1970 [21] Appl.No.: 21,134

[72] Inventor:

[52] US. Cl. ..239/228, 239/DIG. l

Primary Examiner-Lloyd L. King Attorney-Christie, Parker & Hale 5 7]ABSTRACT A rotary sprinkler is described having a hub with a pair ofarms extending radially from the hub and terminating in at least partlytangentially directed nozzles for inducing sprinkler rotation. In eacharm between the hub and the nozzle is a debris trap comprising avertical cylinder having a diagonal baffle between the inlet and theoutlet. An aperture through the baffle near the top of the cylinderpermits water to flow from the inlet to the outlet. The water inlet isnear the top of the cylinder and the water outlet is near the bottom ofthe cylinder on the opposite side of the baffle. Centrifugal force asthe sprinkler rotates forces debris having a density greater than waterinto a region formed between the diagonal baffle and the cylinder wallso that the debris is not carried into the nozzle to cause plugging. Thediagonal baffle also defines a pocket or region radially inwardly infrom the passage through the baffle wherein debris having lower densitythan water tends to accumulate, further protecting the nozzle fromplugging.

9 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures QN-BLUQGINQfiBlQNKLEB BACKGROUND Rotarysprinklers having a plurality of radially extending arms, and nozzles onthe arms for directing water outwardly and at least partly tangentially,are widely used in agricultural watering. The force of water ejectedfrom the sprinkler nozzles causes the sprinkler head to rotate rapidlyand distribute water over a large area. In order to obtain uniform waterdistribution, nozzles at the ends of the arms are provided with one ormore relatively small orifices for obtaining a desired waterdistribution pattern. Many agricultural water supplies have substantialamounts of particulate debris, mostly sand, small stones and the like.When such debris enters a rotary sprinkler, it may plug the relativelysmall nozzle orifices so that no water is ejected. This is a significantproblem in many situations, such as, for example, in orchards wheresprinklers are permanently installed and operated by timers or otherautomatic mechanisms so that the sprinkling system operates over longperiods of time without manual attendance or inspection.

Various types of screens, either in the sprinklers themselves or in theinlet to the sprinkling system, have been tried for removing soliddebris and preventing plugging of sprinklers; however, these have notbeen entirely satisfactory since the screens themselves tend to becomeplugged when particularly dirty water is employed in the irrigationsystem. Screens are also somewhat difficult to clean.

It is, therefore, desirable to provide a rotary sprinkler includingmeans for preventing plugging of the water nozzles without the use ofscreens or similar filters.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, in practice of this inventionaccording to a preferred embodiment there is provided means forpreventing plugging of a rotary sprinkler nozzle comprising a debristrapping chamber between a sprinkler hub and nozzle. A baffle in thechamber between the inlet and the outlet and including a passage throughthe baffle defines a debris trapping region in the chamber on the inletside of the baffle relatively further from the inlet than the passagewhereby centrifugal force of the sprinkler during rotation throws sandand similar debris radially outwardly so that it collects in the chamberand does not readily pass to the sprinkler nozzles.

DRAWINGS These and other features and advantages of the invention willbe appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to thefollowing detailed description of a presently preferred embodiment whenconsidered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a rotary sprinkler incorporating principles of thisinvention;

FIG. 2 is a side cutaway of a debris trap in the sprinkler of FIG. 1;and

FIG. 3 is a top view of the debris trap of FIG. 2 with its top open.

Throughout the drawings like numerals refer to like parts.

DESCRIPTION FIG. 1 illustrates a substantially conventional rotarysprinkler having a debris trap incorporating principles of thisinvention. As illustrated in this embodiment, a central hub is mountedon a conventional bearing 11 which can be connected to a water supplypipe or the like (not shown). The bearing permits free rotation of thehub when the sprinkler is operated. Extending substantially radiallyfrom the hub 10 are a pair of sprinkler arms 12, each of which issubstantially identical to the other. In some embodiments, the arms 12are merely straight tubes extending radially, or in other embodiments, abend may be provided within each arm between its ends. If desired, threeor more arms may be used.

At the end of each of the arms 12 is a conventional nozzle 13 having anaperture 14 through which water flows, and the aperture is directed atleast partially tangentially relative to the axis of rotation of thesprinkler so that the force of water ejected from the monies 13 causesthe sprinkler to rapidly rotate on the bearing, thereby casting waterover a large area. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art thatmany types of conventional nozzles can be employed for obtaining adesired pattern of water distribution.

In between the hub 10 and the nozzle 13 in each of the arms is a debristrap 16 which is also illustrated in vertical cutaway in FIG. 2, andfurther illustrated in a top view in FIG. 3. As illustrated in thisembodiment, the trap 16 comprises a cylinder 17 having a substantialvertical axis and an appreciably larger cross section than the crosssection of the water flow passages to the nozzle. The larger crosssection results in the water velocity within the cylindrical chamberbeing lower than in the passages so that debris can be removed bycentrifugal force as the sprinkler operates. The bottom of the cylinder17 is closed by a threaded plug 18 having spanner holes 19, or ifdesired, a screwdriver slot so that the plug can be installed or removedas desired. In a similar manner, the top of the cylinder is closed by aremovable plug 21. By so providing, the top or bottom plug, or both, canbe removed for discharging debris from the trap.

Within the cylinder 17 is a vertical baffle 22 in the form of anS-shaped sheet of metal that is sprung for insertion into the cylinderand, therefore, resiliently engages the sides of the cylinder so as tobe tightly fixed in place. The baffle 22 is preferably in engagementwith the bottom plug 18, or if there is a slight space between thebottom of the baffle and the plug, this space should be narrower thanthe diameter of the nozzle orifice. The top of the baffle is preferablyengaged or nearly engaged with the top plug 21 so that no debris canpass around the ends of the baffle. An aperture 23 forms a water passagenear the top part of the baffle 22. In the illustrated embodiment, theaperture is a slot or notch in the baffle plate, or if desired it can bea hole through the baffle near its top. The cross section or hydrauliccapacity of the aperture 23 through the baffle plate is larger than thecross section or hydraulic capacity of the nozzle orifice 14.

The water inlet from the arm 12 comes through the side of the cylinder17 on one side of the bafile plate and near the top of the cylinder. Thewater outlet to the nozzle 13 is on the opposite side of the baffleplate from the water inlet and is preferably at the bottom of thecylinder.

During operation, water ejected from the nozzles 13 causes the sprinklerto rotate about the hub 10. The rotation of the sprinkler causes asubstantial centrifugal force at the ends of the arms and thiscentrifuging action tends to throw sand, small stones and the likehaving a higher density than water toward the outer end of the sprinklerarms. The water from the arm 12 enters the enlarged chamber formed bythe cylinder 17 and decreases in velocity due to the larger crosssection available for flow. The centrifuging action causes the heavierparticles of debris to travel to the outer portion of the chamber on theinlet side of the baffle where the debris accumulates in the pocket orregion formed between the bafile plate 22 and the wall of the cylinder17. Being heavier than the water, the higher density sand and otherdebris settles toward the bottom and collects in the corners asillustrated at 24 in FIGS. 2 and 3. Accumulations of sand in the corner24 can be removed by removing one or both of the end plugs in thecylinder.

The baffle plate 22 divides the cylinder into two enlarged portions andthe centrifugal action of the rotating arms also tends to separate soliddebris having a lower density than water by propellingthe water to theouter portion of the second chamber and permitting the lighter debris toaccumulate in a corner 26 near the top and inner side of the cylinder.It will be noted that substantially less volume is available within thecylinder for retaining lightweight debris; however, this is nodisadvantage since the principal solid debris in irrigation water isnormally sand and the like having a higher density than water.Lightweight debris, such as wood chips, is rather rare in mostirrigation water.

It is preferred in operation of a sprinkler as herein described that thearms 12 be relatively short and the nozzle orifices oriented so that thesprinkler rotates as rapidly as possible. This is preferred since thecentrifugal force acting on the debris is directly proportional to theradius and to the square of the rotational speed. Any decrease in lengthof the arm that increases the speed of rotation is thereforeadvantageous. By the same token, it is preferred that the debris trapsbe located at the outer ends of the arms as near the nozzle as possiblein order to increase the radius at which the centrifugal force operates.

The water inlet from the arm 12 into the cylinder 17 is preferably atthe top so that the flow of water into the cylinder does not impingedirectly on the debris accumulated near the bottom on the inlet side ofthe baffle. This helps prevent the debris from becoming entrained in theflowing water and being carried to the nozzle 13. It is preferred thatthe outlet to the nozzle be located at the lower portion of the secondportion of the chamber so that lightweight debris floating in the upperregion on the outlet side of the baffle plate is less likely to beentrained and carried to the nozzle.

In some sprinkling systems there may be a substantial elevationdifference between some of the sprinklers and others in the system andwater may drain from the higher sprinklers when the system is not inoperation. If there is any substantial amount of lightweight debris,that is debris having a lower density than water, floating in the secondchamber of debris trap, such debris could be carried down and into thenozzle with the possibility of plugging of the nozzle when the water isagain turned on. Such a possibility is effectively avoided by providinga partly upwardly directed passage from the trap to the nozzle so thatthe nozzle orifice is at a slightly higher elevation than the outletfrom the chamber. In this way, any debris floating in the chamber isalways above the entrance to the outlet, and the possibility of sweepingthe lightweight debris into the nozzle is significantly alleviated.

Many modifications and variations of the present invention will beapparent to one skilled in the art. Thus, for example, the illustrateddebris trap is in the form of a cylinder with an S- shaped bafiled plateinserted. This is preferred since the manufacture and assembly of such aunit is economical. Another suitable arrangement has a cylinder with abaffle plate formed integrally with the cylinder, in which case, thebaffle plate may merely be straight across instead of S-shaped anddiagonally arranged relative to the principle extent of the arm 12 andcan be canted relative to the vertical to provide increased debristrapping volume. A cylinder is preferred since it is readily tapped forplugs; however, it will be apparent that rectangular or other geometriescan be employed if desired. It will also be noted that it is notnecessary that a pair of plugs be provided in order to permit cleaningof the debris trap. Many other modifications and variations will beapparent, and it is, therefore, to be understood that within the scopeof the appended claims the invention may be practiced otherwise than asspecifically described.

What is claimed is:

1. A rotary sprinkler comprising:

a hub including means for permitting rotary motion;

a plurality of arms extending generally radially from the hub;

a water aperture adjacent the end of each arm; and

means on each arm intermediate the hub and the aperture for separatingsolids having lower density than water and solids having a greaterdensity than water from water in response to centrifugal force ofrotation of the sprinkler comprising:

a first enlarged portion of the arm;

a first solids trapping region in the first enlarged portion radiallynearer the hub than a direct flow path of water through the enlargedportion for separating solids having a lower density than water;

a second enlarged portion in the arm serially arranged with the firstenlarged portion; and

a second solids trapping region in the second enlarged portion radiallyfurther from the hub than a direct flow path of water through theenlarged portion for separating solids having a greater density thanwater.

2. A rotary sprinkler as defined in claim 1 wherein the first and secondenlarged portions comprise:

a chamber in the arm;

a baffle in the chamber diagonal to the principal extent of the arm,dividing the chamber into the first and second enlarged portions; and

orifice means through the baffle adjacent its upper portion for passingwater through the baffle.

3. A rotary sprinkler comprising:

a hub including means for permitting rotary motion;

a plurality of arms extending generally radially from the hub;

a water aperture adjacent the end of each arm;

an enlarged cylindrical chamber having a substantially vertical axis ineach arm intermediate the hub and the aperture for separating solidsfrom water in response to centrifugal force of rotation of thesprinkler;

a baffle in the chamber diagonal to the principal extent of the arm,dividing the chamber into a first enlarged portion in the arm defining asolids trapping region in the enlarged portion radially further from thehub than a direct flow path of water through the first enlarged portion,and a second enlarged portion in the arm serially arranged with thefirst enlarged portion defining a second solids trapping region in thesecond enlarged portion radially nearer the hub than a direct flow pathof water through the second enlarged portion;

orifice means through the baffle adjacent its upper portion for passingwater through the baffle;

water inlet means into the cylinder near its top on one side of thebaffle; and

water outlet means from the cylinder near its bottom on the other sideof the baffle.

4. Means for preventing plugging of a rotary sprinkler nozzlecomprising:

a chamber;

inlet means for connecting the chamber to a rotary sprinkler for waterinlet;

outlet means for connecting the chamber to a nozzle for water outlet,the outlet means being on substantially the opposite side of the chamberfrom the inlet means; and

a baffle in the chamber between the inlet and the outlet including apassage through the baffle defining a debris trapping region in thechamber on the inlet side of the baffle relatively further from theinlet means than the passage; and wherein the baffle comprises a memberarranged diagonally with respect to a line between the inlet means andthe outlet means, and the passage through the baffle is remote from thebottom of the chamber.

5. A combination as defined in claim 4 wherein the chamber comprises acylinder having a generally vertical axis; and

the baffle comprises a substantially vertical member and wherein thepassage through the bafile comprises a notch in the top of the baffle.

6. Means for preventing plugging of a rotary sprinkler nozzlecomprising:

a cylinder having a generally vertical axis;

inlet means near the top portion of the cylinder for connecting thecylinder to a rotary sprinkler for water inlet;

outlet means for connecting the cylinder to a nozzle for water outlet,the outlet means being on substantially the opposite side of thecylinder from the inlet means; and

a diagonal, substantially vertical baffle in the cylinder between theinlet means and the outlet means including a passage through the baffleadjacent its top defining a debris trapping region in the chamber on theinlet side of the baffle relatively further from the inlet means thanthe passage; and wherein the outlet means is near the bottom portion ofthe cylinder on the opposite side of the baffle from the inlet means.

7. A combination as defined in claim 6 further comprising an end plug inthe cylinder for removing debris trapped therein.

8. a combination as defined in claim 6 wherein the baffle comprises anS-shaped sheet having edge portions in engagement with sides of thecylinder.

9. A rotary sprinkler comprising;

a hub including means for permitting rotary motion;

a plurality of arms extending generally radially from the hub;

a water aperture adjacent the end of each arm; and

means on each arm intermediate the hub and the aperture for separatingsolids having lower density than water and solids having a greaterdensity than water from water in response to centrifugal force ofrotation of the sprinkler comprising:

an enlarged chamber in the arm;

a bafile in the chamber diagonal to the principal extent of the arm,dividing the chamber into a first solids trapping region in the chamberradially further from the hub than a direct flow path through thechamber for separating solids having a greater density than water and asecond solids trapping region in the chamber radially nearer the hubthan a direct flow path of water through the chamber for separatingsolids having a lower density than water; and

orifice means through the baffle adjacent its upper portion for passingwater through the baffle.

1. A rotary sprinkler comprising: a hub including means for permittingrotary motion; a plurality of arms extending generally radially from thehub; a water aperture adjacent the end of each arm; and means on eacharm intermediate the hub and the aperture for separating solids havinglower density than water and solids having a greater density than waterfrom water in response to centrifugal force of rotation of the sprinklercomprising: a first enlarged portion of the arm; a first solids trappingregion in the first enlarged portion radially nearer the hub than adirect flow path of water through the enlarged portion for separatingsolids having a lower density than water; a second enlarged portion inthe arm serially arranged with the first enlarged portion; and a secondsolids trapping region in the second enlarged portion radially furtherfrom the hub than a direct flow path of water through the enlargedportion for separating solids having a greater density than water.
 2. Arotary sprinkler as defined in claim 1 wherein the first and secondenlarged portions comprise: a chamber in the arm; a baffle in thechamber diagonal to the principal extent of the arm, dividing thechamber into the first and second enlarged portions; and orifice meansthrough the baffle adjacent its upper portion for passing water throughthe baffle.
 3. A rotary sprinkler comprising: a hub including means forpermitting rotary motion; a plurality of arms extending generallyradially from the hub; a water aperture adjacent the end of each arm; anenlarged cylindrical chamber having a substantially vertical axis ineach arm intermediate the hub and the aperture for separating solidsfrom water in response to centrifugal force of rotation of thesprinkler; a baffle in the chamber diagonal to the principal extent ofthe arm, dividing the chamber into a first enlarged portion in the armdefining a solids trapping region in the enlarged portion radiallyfurther from the hub than a direct flow path of water through the firstenlarged portion, and a second enlarged portion in the arm seriallyarranged with the first enlarged portion defining a second solidstrapping region in the second enlarged portion radially nearer the hubthan a direct flow path of water through the second enlarged portion;orifice means through the baffle adjacent its upper portion for passingwater through the baffle; water inlet means into the cylinder near itstop on one side of the baffle; and water outlet means from the cylindernear its bottom on the other side of the baffle.
 4. Means for preventingplugging of a rotary sprinkler nozzle comprising: a chamber; inlet meansfor connecting the chamber to a rotary sprinkler for water inlet; outletmeans for connecting the chamber to a nozzle for water outlet, theoutlet means being on substantially the opposite side of the chamberfrom the inlet means; and a bAffle in the chamber between the inlet andthe outlet including a passage through the baffle defining a debristrapping region in the chamber on the inlet side of the bafflerelatively further from the inlet means than the passage; and whereinthe baffle comprises a member arranged diagonally with respect to a linebetween the inlet means and the outlet means, and the passage throughthe baffle is remote from the bottom of the chamber.
 5. A combination asdefined in claim 4 wherein the chamber comprises a cylinder having agenerally vertical axis; and the baffle comprises a substantiallyvertical member and wherein the passage through the baffle comprises anotch in the top of the baffle.
 6. Means for preventing plugging of arotary sprinkler nozzle comprising: a cylinder having a generallyvertical axis; inlet means near the top portion of the cylinder forconnecting the cylinder to a rotary sprinkler for water inlet; outletmeans for connecting the cylinder to a nozzle for water outlet, theoutlet means being on substantially the opposite side of the cylinderfrom the inlet means; and a diagonal, substantially vertical baffle inthe cylinder between the inlet means and the outlet means including apassage through the baffle adjacent its top defining a debris trappingregion in the chamber on the inlet side of the baffle relatively furtherfrom the inlet means than the passage; and wherein the outlet means isnear the bottom portion of the cylinder on the opposite side of thebaffle from the inlet means.
 7. A combination as defined in claim 6further comprising an end plug in the cylinder for removing debristrapped therein.
 8. a combination as defined in claim 6 wherein thebaffle comprises an S-shaped sheet having edge portions in engagementwith sides of the cylinder.
 9. A rotary sprinkler comprising; a hubincluding means for permitting rotary motion; a plurality of armsextending generally radially from the hub; a water aperture adjacent theend of each arm; and means on each arm intermediate the hub and theaperture for separating solids having lower density than water andsolids having a greater density than water from water in response tocentrifugal force of rotation of the sprinkler comprising: an enlargedchamber in the arm; a baffle in the chamber diagonal to the principalextent of the arm, dividing the chamber into a first solids trappingregion in the chamber radially further from the hub than a direct flowpath through the chamber for separating solids having a greater densitythan water and a second solids trapping region in the chamber radiallynearer the hub than a direct flow path of water through the chamber forseparating solids having a lower density than water; and orifice meansthrough the baffle adjacent its upper portion for passing water throughthe baffle.